Label including an electronic chip for a barrel and associated production method

ABSTRACT

A label is applied to a barrel containing liquid. The label includes an electronic chip, which includes a first layer as a support layer, a second layer as an electronic chip layer, and a third layer as a customization layer. The electronic chip layer includes at least an electronic chip and an antenna connected to the electronic chip. The customization layer includes at least one metal sublayer made of a metal material. Each of the layers has two faces, and the three layers are placed one above the other in a stacking direction. The thickness of the metal sublayer along the stacking direction is less than or equal to 35 μm.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/482,647, filed on Jul. 31, 2019 as the U.S. National Phase under 35.U.S.C. § 371 of International Application PCT/EP2018/052317, filed Jan.30, 2018, which claims priority to French Patent Application No. 1750836, filed Feb. 1, 2017. The disclosures of the above-describedapplications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a label comprising an electronic chip.The invention also relates to an alcoholic beverage container bearingsuch a label, an assembly including an alcoholic beverage container andsuch a label, as well as a method for manufacturing the label.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the food or cosmetic field, electronic chips are commonly used tomake it possible to guarantee the traceability of products. Theelectronic chips are then generally affixed on the containers of suchproducts.

For some products, in particular in the luxury field such as wines, itis desirable for the electronic chip not to be very visible, thepresence thereof decreasing the value of the product.

To that end, it is known to position the electronic chip in aninaccessible location, for example behind a label of a bottle, whichmakes it possible to preserve the value of the content of the bottle.

However, a potential infringer does not know that the electronic chip ispresent and may be tempted to propose a counterfeit bottle, thinkingthat the bottle is not truly protected. The dissuasive aspect of theelectronic chip is thus lost.

There is therefore a need for an electronic chip that is visible to apotential infringer but not highly visible to a consumer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To that end, the present description in particular relates to a labelcomprising an electronic chip intended to be applied on a barrel, inparticular an alcoholic beverage, the label including a first layer,called support layer, a second layer, called electronic chip layer,comprising at least an electronic chip and an antenna connected to theelectronic chip, the electronic chip layer including a first face incontact with the support layer and a second face opposite the firstface, and a third layer, called customization layer, having a first facein contact with the second face of the electronic chip layer and asecond face opposite the first face of the customization layer, in whicheach layer has two faces and the three layers are superimposed in thestacking direction, and in which the customization layer comprises atleast one sublayer, called metal sublayer, made of a metal material, thethickness of the metal sublayer along the stacking direction being lessthan or equal to 35 micrometers.

According to specific embodiments, the label with an electronic chipcomprises one or more of the following features, considered alone oraccording to all technically possible combinations:

-   -   the metal material is silver or aluminum.    -   the label includes a protection layer in contact with the second        face of the customization layer, the protection layer comprising        at least a covering sublayer allowing a user to see the        customization layer through the covering sublayer.    -   the customization layer further comprises an interfacing        sublayer made from polyethylene terephthalate, the interfacing        sublayer being in contact on the one hand with the electronic        chip layer and on the other hand with the metal sublayer.    -   the customization layer has a decorative sublayer intended to        give the user the visual impression that the label is decorated.

The present description also describes a barrel of liquid, in particularalcoholic beverage, having a surface on which the label is glued.

The present description also describes an assembly including a barrel ofliquid, in particular alcoholic beverage, and a label, in which thebottle of liquid has a surface having a first color visible to a user,and in which the decorative sublayer of the customization layer of thelabel also has a second color visible to the user, the first and secondvisible colors being identical.

The present description also describes a method for manufacturing thelabel as previously described, the method including at least thefollowing steps: providing a substrate; etching an electronic chip andan antenna on the substrate to form a layer with an electronic chip;depositing a customization layer on the electronic chip layer in thestacking direction to form a sandwich, and depositing the sandwich on asupport layer in the stacking direction to form a multilayer structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear upon readingthe following description of embodiments of the invention, provided asan example only and in reference to the drawings, which are:

FIG. 1, a schematic view of an example assembly including a bottle ofalcoholic beverage and an electronic chip label, the bottle beingprovided with the electronic chip label,

FIG. 2, a schematic view of the electronic chip label of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3, a schematic view of a protective layer of the electronic chiplabel of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 4, a schematic view of another exemplary assembly including abarrel of alcoholic beverage provided with an electronic chip label.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An assembly 10 including a bottle 20 of alcoholic beverage and a labelcomprising an electronic chip 30 is shown in FIG. 1.

The bottle 20 of alcoholic beverage is a first container of alcoholicbeverage.

The bottle 20 is provided with the label comprising an electronic chip30 in order to identify the bottle.

The bottle 20 contains a liquid substance 40.

According to the proposed example, the liquid substance 40 is wine.

In a variant, the liquid substance 40 is alcohol.

According to another variant, the liquid substance 40 is spirits.

In these three cases, the bottle 20 is a bottle of alcoholic beverage.

According to another embodiment, the bottle 20 is a bottle of perfume.

In each of these cases, the bottle 20 is a bottle of liquid.

The bottle is made from glass.

According to a variant, the bottle is made from plastic.

The bottle 20 has a barrel, a bottom, a shoulder and a neck.

The barrel is the main and widest part of the bottle 20. The barrel issometimes referred to using the expression “body”.

The bottom closes the barrel so that the bottle 20 can be placed easilyon a flat surface. Depending on the case, the bottom is flat, sloped(convex) or semi-sloped.

The shoulder is the flared part that connects the neck to the barrel.

The neck corresponds to the slender part at the apex. The neck delimitsa space usually called throat 42.

The throat 42 generally comprises a collar protruding relative to theouter surface of the throat 42 and offset relative to the upper end ofthe throat 44.

A stopper 44 is inserted into the throat 42.

A sealing capsule 46 tops the stopper 44.

A sealing capsule 46 is generally made from metal (tin or aluminum) andcomprises a skirt that extends from the upper end of the throat 42 overa certain height, from about 5 cm to 6 cm. Thus, the lower edge of thesealing capsule 46 is offset downward relative to the collar by adistance of about 3 to 4 cm.

During the opening of the bottle 20, the sealing capsule 46 is cut usinga sharp tool along a cutting line positioned just above the collar.After such cutting, the upper part of the sealing capsule 46 is removedto make it possible to remove the stopper 44. The lower part of thesealing capsule 46 in the form of a sleeve is kept on the bottle 20.

A label 48 and a counter-label 50 are affixed on the body.

The label 48 is sometimes described as “main label”.

According to the example of FIG. 1, the label comprising an electronicchip 30 is affixed on the skirt of the sealing capsule 46.

The skirt of the sealing capsule 46 defines a surface of the bottle 20having a first color visible to a user.

For example, the first visible color is red.

In the remainder of the description, the label comprising an electronicchip 30 is called chip 30. The terms “tag” or “electronic module” aresometimes also used to designate the label comprising an electronic chip30.

Nevertheless, other locations for the chip 30 can also be considered.

For example, on the neck of the bottle, the barrel of the bottle, on themain label 48, or on the stopper of the bottle.

The chip 30 is shown in FIG. 2.

The chip 30 has a cylindrical shape, the base of which is rectangularwith rounded edges. Thus defined for the chip are two large sides andtwo small sides, parallel to each other and perpendicular to the largesides, while the two large sides are parallel to each other.

According to the proposed example, a large side has a size of 35 mm(millimeters) and a small side has a size of 21 mm.

The four edges are identical and rounded.

In a variant, the chip 30 has another shape.

For example, the base of the chip 30 has a square shape.

According to another example, the base of the chip 30 has an oval shape.

The chip 30 shown in FIG. 2 has a multilayer structure. The expression“multilayer” indicates that the chip is formed by a set of layerssuperimposed in a direction called stacking direction Z.

The stacking direction is symbolized by an axis Z in FIG. 2. In theremainder of the description, the stacking direction is denoted stackingdirection Z.

Furthermore, hereinafter, the size of an object in the stackingdirection Z is called thickness.

The chip 30 has a total thickness e_(tot).

The total thickness e_(tot) is equal to the sum of the thicknesses ofeach layer forming the chip.

The total thickness e_(tot) is less than or equal to 0.3 mm.

The total thickness e_(tot) of the chip is for example comprised between200 μm and 300 μm (microns).

The expression “comprised” is to be understood broadly. Thus, a propertyA is comprised between a first value A1 and a second value A2 when, onthe one hand, the property A is greater than or equal to the first valueA1 and, on the other hand, the property A is less than or equal to thesecond value A2.

In the described example, the chip 30 includes four layers S, E, P, Q.

Each layer S, E, P, Q is a planar layer.

Each layer S, E, P, Q has two faces.

In the described example, the faces of each layer S, E, P, Q areparallel to each other.

The layers S, P, Q include sublayers C1, C2, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8.

Each sublayer C1, C2, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8 is a planar sublayer.

Each sublayer C1, C2, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8 has two faces.

In the described example, the faces are parallel to each other.

In the described example, the faces are also identical.

Each layer S, E, P, Q has a cylindrical shape having the same base asthe chip 30.

In the case at hand, the base of each layer S, E, P, Q has a rectangularshape with rounded edges.

The four layers S, E, P, Q of the chip 30 are kept together by a glue.

The glue is for example a thermofusible glue.

The chip 30 includes a first layer, called support layer S, a secondlayer, called electronic chip layer E, a third layer, calledcustomization layer P, and a fourth layer, called protection layer Q.

A top and a bottom are defined for the chip 30 in the stacking directionZ.

The support layer S is located toward the bottom. The protection layer Qis located toward the top.

In the remainder of the description, the layers S, E, P, Q are describedin the stacking order of the layers, from the bottom toward the top, inthe stacking direction Z.

The support layer S is able to support the other layers of the chip 30and is able to connect the chip 30 to the bottle 20.

The support layer S includes a transfer sublayer C1 and an adhesivesublayer C2.

The transfer sublayer C1 is removable and intended to be removed duringgluing of the chip 30 on the object to be identified.

The transfer sublayer C1 has a thickness e₁ less than or equal to 30 μm.

The thickness e₁ of the transfer sublayer C1 is for example comprisedbetween 5 μm and 25 μm.

According to one specific embodiment, the thickness e₁ of the transfersublayer C1 is comprised between 15 μm and 25 μm.

In the specific case of FIG. 2, the thickness e₁ of the transfersublayer C1 is equal to 20 μm.

The transfer sublayer C1 is for example made from

The adhesive sublayer C2 is able to make it possible to glue the chip 32on a surface.

The adhesive sublayer C2 has a thickness e₂ less than or equal to 30 μm.

The thickness e₂ of the adhesive sublayer C2 is for example comprisedbetween 5 μm and 25 μm.

According to one particular embodiment, the thickness e₂ of the adhesivesublayer C2 is comprised between 5 μm and 15 μm.

In the specific case of FIG. 2, the thickness e₂ of the adhesivesublayer C2 is equal to 10 μm.

The adhesive sublayer C2 is made from an adhesive material.

The adhesive material is able to adhere to a flat, convex or concavesurface.

The electronic chip layer E includes a substrate 70, a microprocessor72, a memory 74 and an antenna 76.

The first face of the electronic chip layer E is in contact with thesupport layer S.

In particular, the first face of the electronic chip layer E is incontact with the adhesive sublayer C2 of the support layer S.

The second face of the electronic chip layer E is in contact with thecustomization layer P.

The electronic chip layer E has a thickness e₃ less than or equal to 50μm.

The substrate 70 is for example made from silicon.

The microprocessor 72, the memory 74 and the antenna 76 are etched onthe substrate 70.

The microprocessor 72 is able to interact with the antenna 76 toexchange signals.

The memory 74 is able to store information.

The assembly of the microprocessor 72 and the memory 74 forms theelectronic part strictly speaking. Such an electronic part is sometimescalled “electronic microchip” in reference to the area occupied by theassembly, which is smaller than 1 mm².

The first face of the customization layer P is in contact with thesecond face of the electronic chip layer E.

The second face of the customization layer P is in contact with theprotection layer Q.

The customization layer P comprises an interfacing sublayer C4, a metalsublayer C5 and a decorative sublayer C6 that are superimposed in thestacking direction.

The interfacing sublayer C4 is able to produce an interface between theelectronic chip layer E on the one hand and the metal sublayer C5 on theother hand.

The interfacing sublayer C4 is in contact on the one hand with theelectronic chip layer E and on the other hand with the metal sublayerC4.

The interfacing sublayer C4 has a thickness e₄ less than or equal to 50μm. According to one specific embodiment, the thickness e₄ of theinterfacing sublayer C4 is comprised between 25 μm and 35 μm.

In the specific case of FIG. 2, the thickness e₄ of the interfacingsublayer C4 is equal to 30 μm.

The interfacing sublayer C4 is made from polyethylene terephthalate(PET).

The metal sublayer C5 has a thickness e₅ less than or equal to 35 μm.

According to one specific embodiment, the thickness e₅ of the metalsublayer C5 is comprised between 25 μm and 35 μm.

In the specific case of FIG. 2, the thickness e₅ of the metal sublayerC5 is equal to 30 μm.

The metal sublayer C5 is made from a metal material.

According to the described example, the metal material is silver.

According to one variant, the metal material is a silver-based alloy.

According to still another embodiment, the metal material is aluminum.

According to one variant, the metal material is an aluminum- and/orsilver-based alloy. The decorative sublayer C6 has a thickness e₆ lessthan or equal to 20 μm.

According to one specific embodiment, the thickness e₈ of the decorativesublayer C6 is comprised between 10 μm and 20 μm.

In the specific case of FIG. 2, the thickness e₈ of the decorativesublayer C6 is equal to 15 μm.

According to the proposed example, the decorative sublayer C6 is an inkshade.

The decorative sublayer C6 has a second color visible to the user.

In the described example, the second visible color is also red.

The first visible color of the surface of the bottle 20 defined by theskirt of the sealing capsule 46 and the second visible color of thedecorative sublayer C6 are preferably identical.

According to a variant, the customization layer P has no decorativesublayer C6.

The protective layer Q is shown in FIG. 3.

The protective layer Q has two large sides and two small sides.

The two large sides extend along a longitudinal direction Xperpendicular to the stacking direction Z.

The two small sides extend along a transverse direction Y perpendicularto the longitudinal direction X and the stacking direction Z.

The protective layer Q is able to protect the other layers of the chip30.

The protective layer Q is in contact with the second face of thecustomization layer P. The protective layer Q comprises a coveringsublayer C7 and an ornamentation sublayer C8.

The covering sublayer C7 is able to protect the other layers and toallow the passage of at least 80% of the wavelengths visible by the userthrough the covering sublayer C7.

The covering sublayer C7 defines a surface in the longitudinal X andtransverse Y directions.

The covering sublayer C7 has a thickness e₇ less than or equal to 30 μm.

According to one specific embodiment, the thickness e₇ of the coveringsublayer C7 is comprised between 15 μm and 25 μm.

In the specific case of FIG. 2, the thickness e₇ of the coveringsublayer C7 is equal to 20 μm.

The covering sublayer C7 is for example made from polypropylene (PP).

The ornamental sublayer C8 forms a first pattern 100 and a secondpattern 102 that are in particular visible in FIG. 3.

The first pattern 100 for example comprises a distinctive sign.

The second pattern 102 for example comprises an icon indicating acommunication protocol.

The ornamental sublayer C8 defines a surface in the longitudinal X andtransverse Y directions.

The surface of the ornamental sublayer C8 is less than or equal to 75%of the surface of the covering sublayer C7.

Preferably, the surface of the ornamental sublayer C8 is less than orequal to 50% of the surface of the covering sublayer C7.

It is thus understood that a user sees the customization layer P bylooking through the protection layer Q.

The ornamental sublayer C8 has a thickness e₈ less than or equal to 20μm.

According to one specific embodiment, the thickness e₈ of the ornamentalsublayer C8 is comprised between 10 μm and 20 μm.

In the specific case of FIG. 2, the thickness e₈ of the ornamentalsublayer C8 is equal to 15 μm.

The ornamental sublayer C8 is for example made from ink.

According to one variant, the protection layer Q comprises theornamental sublayer C8 and the covering sublayer C7 from bottom to topin the stacking direction Z.

The operation of the chip 30 is now described.

The chip 30 is intended to be used by an end consumer.

The bottle of alcoholic beverage 20 having a sealing capsule 46 providedwith the chip 30 is present on a display at a retailer or in asupermarket. The consumer wishing to purchase a bottle of alcoholicbeverage at the retailer or in the supermarket finds the bottle 20.

The consumer sees the chip 30 that is visible on the bottle 20. Thevisual appearance of the chip 30 is connected to the visual appearanceof the sealing capsule 46 to which the chip 30 is glued. The consumerdoes not see the electronic chip layer E of the chip 30. Thus, theconsumer has the visual impression that the chip 30 is a simple label.

The consumer therefore considers that there is no depreciation of theproduct contained in the bottle.

However, any potential infringer sees the second pattern 102 of theornamental sublayer C8 indicating a communication protocol and thus thepresence of an electronic chip.

The potential infringer can read, using an electronic chip reader, forexample a wireless mobile telephone, information stored in the memory 74of the chip 30.

Indeed, the chip 12 is associated with information that the memory 74 ofthe chip 30 stores.

For example, the memory 74 of the chip 30 stores information relative tothe profile of the wine that the bottle 20 contains.

For example, the memory 74 of the chip 30 stores information relative tothe appellation of the wine, i.e., the name given to the wine.

According to another example, the memory 74 stores information relativeto the vintage, i.e., the harvest year of the grape used to produce thewine.

According to another example, the memory 74 of the chip 30 storesinformation relative to the varietal(s) of the grape used to produce thewine, the pairings that can be done with the wine contained in thebottle 20, the tank that the wine contained in the bottle 20 comes from.

According to another example, the memory 74 of the chip 30 storesinformation relative to the production site, an identifier of the bottle20, an identifier of the producer of the bottle 20, the name of theprofile of the bottle 20, bottling date and time data, production outputdate and time data.

According to the described example, the chip 30 is an NFC (Near FieldCommunication) module, allowing near-field reading (with a maximumdistance of about 4 cm between the chip 30 of the bottle 20 and anelectronic chip reader).

The communication protocol is then of the near field communication typeof the NFC type defined according to the standards recognized by the NFCForum, including standards ISO/CEI 14443-1 to ISO/CEI 14443/4.

It should be noted that the NFC standard is a wireless communicationstandard (called near field communication or NFC communication) makingit possible for the electronic communication chips to communicate with avery large number of apparatuses, in particular wireless mobiletelephones.

The infringer is then not tempted to copy the product. The dissuasiveaspect of the electronic chip 30 is thus preserved.

The electronic chip 30 is thus visible to a potential infringer but nothighly visible to a consumer.

Furthermore, such an electronic chip 30 has the advantage that the totalthickness e_(tot) is less than 0.3 millimeters, i.e., small, whichguarantees good discretion.

It should be noted that the decorative sublayer C6 gives a user thevisual impression that the label is decorated.

Furthermore, the electronic chip 30 allows radio waves to pass forreading of the information stored in the memory 74 despite the presenceof a metal material.

Lastly, the chip 30 has resistance properties relative to humidity andholding on the material.

The chip 30 also makes it possible to ensure optimal traceability of thebottle 20 and the alcoholic beverage contained in the bottle 20 and thusto avoid infringements.

Furthermore, the chip 30 is flexible, and is therefore capable ofsupporting a fast labeling pace and perfectly marrying the shape of thebottle 20 on which the chip 30 is affixed.

Of course, depending on the applications, the chip 30 is easilycustomizable, which opens up possibilities that the chips 30 of thestate of the art did not have.

For example, unlike the proposed issue, a manufacturer could wish forthe chip 30 to be very visible and make it a marketing argument.

This ease of customization comes from the fact that the chip 30 has theadvantage of being easy to manufacture.

To illustrate this simplicity, an example manufacturing method of thechip 30 is now described.

A substrate 70 is provided.

A microprocessor 72, a memory 74 and an antenna 76 are etched on thesubstrate 70 to form the electronic chip layer E.

The decorative sublayer C6 and the ornamental sublayer C8 are made by ascreenprinting technique.

According to the variants, the decorative sublayer C6 and the ornamentalsublayer C8 are made by a thermal printing, inkjet printing, transferprinting, laser printing, offset printing, flexography, rotogravuretechnique.

The screenprinting is followed by a drying step by ultravioletradiation.

The layers are next deposited one on top of the other so as to form theassembly of layers that leads to obtaining the chip 30.

The assembly of layers is for example made by a deposition techniqueaccording to a deposition technique of the state of the art.

The deposition can be manual or robotic.

Thus, the manufacturing method comprises a step for depositing acustomization layer P on the electronic chip layer E in the stackingdirection to form a sandwich PE.

The manufacturing method comprises a step for depositing the sandwich PEon a support layer S in the stacking direction.

The manufacturing method further comprises a step for depositing aprotective layer Q on the second face of the customization layer to forma multilayer structure.

The chip 30 can be manufactured by a label manufacturer.

Prior to the placement of the chip 30 on the bottle 20, the transfersublayer C1 is removed. The chip 30 is glued using the adhesive sublayerC2 on the sealing capsule 46.

The placement of the chip 30 on the bottle 20 can be done during thebottling using a machine for depositing labels.

The proposed manufacturing method is easy to establish, such that thechip 30 becomes infinitely customizable.

Other applications can also be considered for the assembly formed by thecontainer and the chip 30.

In particular, the liquid container, in the case at hand alcoholicbeverage, can be different.

According to one example, the alcoholic beverage container is analcoholic beverage barrel 200 in reference to FIG. 4.

The barrel 200 is provided with the label comprising an electronic chip30 in order to identify the barrel.

“Barrel” refers to any container including staves.

For example, a keg, a quartaut, a cask, a tank, a jar or a tun areconsidered in the context of the present description to be barrels.

The barrel 200 includes a wall having an inner face and an outer face.

The inner face is a closed surface such that the inner face delimits aninner volume of the barrel 200.

The barrel 200 isolates the inner volume from the outside of the barrel200.

According to the described example, the inner volume is intended toreceive an alcoholic beverage.

In the case at hand, the inner volume contains wine.

According to other examples, the inner volume includes a spirit orjuice.

Usually, the inner volume includes a beverage, such that the barrel 200is a liquid barrel, and more specifically a beverage barrel.

The inner volume has a capacity that can be expressed in particular inliters.

The capacity of the inner volume is the capacity of the barrel 200.

For example, the capacity is comprised between 1 and 1500 liters.

According to one example, the capacity is comprised between 100 litersand 600 liters, preferably between 100 and 400 liters.

According to the described example, the barrel 200 has a capacity of 228liters.

The outer face of the wall gives a shape to the barrel 200.

The barrel 200 has an axis of symmetry making it possible to define alongitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction is symbolized by anaxis L in FIG. 4. The longitudinal direction is thus denotedlongitudinal direction L in the remainder of the description.

The barrel 200 extends along the longitudinal direction L between afirst end 202 and a second end 204.

The distance between the first end 202 and the second end 204 of thebarrel 200 defines the length of the barrel 200.

The length of the barrel 200 is several meters.

In each plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L, the sectionof the barrel 200 has the same geometric shape.

According to the example of FIG. 4, the geometric shape is a disc forwhich a radius is defined.

When the sections of the barrel 200 are traveled from the first end 202toward the second end 204, the radius of the section increases from afirst minimum radius up to a maximum radius, then decreases to a secondminimum radius.

The first minimum radius is equal to the second minimum radius.

In such a configuration, the maximum radius is reached a pointcorresponding to the center of the barrel 200.

The ratio between the minimum radius and the maximum radius is greaterthan or equal to 80% such that the barrel 200 has a slightly curvedcylindrical shape at the center.

The wall of the barrel 200 includes three parts: a lateral wall 206 andtwo bottoms 208.

The lateral wall 206 is formed by two staves 210 assembled by hoops 212.

The staves 210 are boards.

The staves 210 extend between the first end 202 of the barrel 200 andthe second end 204 of the barrel 200.

The staves 210 are for example made from wood.

According to another example, the staves 210 are made from plastic,ceramic or stainless steel.

As shown in FIG. 4, the staves 210 delimit a bung hole 214.

The bung hole 214 is a through hole intended to be plugged by a bung.

The bung hole 214 allows an operator to monitor the barrel 200.

Each hoop 212 is a maintaining hoop. The hoops 212 provide the assemblyand maintenance of the staves 210 in position.

Each hoop 212 is positioned parallel to the bottoms 208, i.e.,perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L.

Each hoop 212 has a complete annular shape for which a perimeter isdefined.

This means that the hoop surrounds the staves 210 continuously.

To that end, the hoops 212 are fastened to the staves 210, for exampleby threaded fasteners.

The annular shape is specific, since the radius of the disc delimited bythe hoop 212 evolves monotonously along the longitudinal direction L.

The annular shape extends along the longitudinal direction L between afirst end and a second end. The distance between the ends along thelongitudinal direction L is called length of the hoop 212.

The length of the hoop 212 is comprised between 3 centimeters and 7centimeters.

Each hoop 212 is made from metal.

Each hoop 212 includes two posts 216.

The ratio between the distance between two posts 216 and the perimeterof a hoop 212 is less than or equal to 20% such that the two posts 216are located near one another.

The two posts 216 delimit a space 220 between the two adjacent posts216.

The space 220 defines a surface of the barrel 200 having a first colorvisible to a user.

The first visible color is for example gray.

In a variant, the number of posts 216 is different.

For example, the number of posts 216 is greater than or equal to three.

According to the described example, the barrel 200 has six hoops 212.

The six hoops 212 are positioned symmetrically relative to the center ofthe barrel 200.

In a variant, the number of hoops 212 is different.

For example, the number of hoops 212 is equal to two, four or eight.

In general, the number of hoops 212 is even to allow symmetricalpositioning relative to the center of the barrel 200.

Each bottom 208 is a disc of equal radius, namely the minimum radius.

The first bottom 208 is the first end 202 of the barrel 200 while thesecond bottom 208 is the second end 204 of the barrel 200.

In the described example, the bottoms 208 are symmetrical relative to aplane normal to the longitudinal direction L and passing through thecenter of the barrel 200.

According to the example of FIG. 4, the chip 30 is located on a hoop212.

In particular, the chip 30 is affixed on a space 220 of a hoop 212.

In a variant, the barrel 200 has no hoops 22. This is for example thecase when the staves 210 are made from stainless steel.

According to this variant, the chip 30 is affixed, for example, on astave 210 or on a bottom 208 of the barrel 200.

The chip 30 according to this embodiment is described hereinafter interms of how it differs from the chip 30 of FIG. 2.

In particular, the chip 30 has a cylindrical shape, the base of which isa disc having a diameter.

According to the proposed example, the diameter of the disc is comprisedbetween 20 millimeters and 30 millimeters.

Each layer S, E, P, Q has a cylindrical shape having the same base asthe chip 30.

In a variant, the chip 30 has another shape.

For example, the base of the chip 30 has a rectangular shape.

According to this embodiment, the support layer S further includes aconnecting sublayer.

The connecting sublayer provides for reading of the chip 30 on a surfacemade from metal.

The connecting sublayer is located between the adhesive sublayer C2 andthe electronic chip layer (E) in the stacking direction.

The connecting sublayer has a thickness less than or equal to 30 μm.

The connecting sublayer is made from ferrite.

According to a variant, the connecting sublayer is made from a ferritealloy.

The decorative sublayer C6 has a second color visible to the user.

According to the described example, the second visible color is gray.

The first visible color of the surface of the barrel 200 defined by thespace 220 between the two posts 216 and the second visible color of thedecorative sublayer C6 are preferably identical.

According to this embodiment, the protective layer Q has no ornamentalsublayer C8.

The operation of the chip 30 is now described.

The alcoholic beverage barrel 200 having a surface provided with thechip 30 is present at a barrel manufacturer or at an owner implementingthe aging of an alcoholic beverage in the barrel 200.

The visual appearance of the chip 30 is connected to the visualappearance of the space 220 defining a surface on which the chip 30 isglued. A user does not see the electronic part of the chip 30. Thus, theuser has the visual impression that the chip 30 is missing.

During the transport of the barrel 200 between the barrel manufacturerand the owner as well as the property, the chip 30 is not torn away byan ill-intentioned user and can be used by an operator of the property.

The operator can read, using an electronic chip reader, informationstored in the memory of the chip 30.

In this embodiment, the memory 74 of the chip 30 stores, for example,information relative to the pressure of the alcoholic beverage containedinside the barrel 200.

According to another example, the memory 74 stores information relativeto the oxygenation of the alcoholic beverage contained in the barrel200.

According to another example, the memory 74 of the chip 30 storesinformation relative to the manufacturing site of the barrel 200, anidentifier of the barrel 200, an identifier of the manufacturer of thebarrel 200, filling and emptying date and time information of the barrel200.

Such a chip 30 has the advantage of being discrete and connecting withthe surface on which it is affixed.

The chip 30 makes it possible to monitor the evolution of the alcoholicbeverage as it ages without error, providing optimal traceability of thebarrel 200 and the alcoholic beverage contained in the barrel 200, andthus preventing infringements.

The manufacturing of the chip 30 differs from the manufacturingdescribed for the first embodiment in that it does not comprise a stepfor producing the ornamental sublayer C8.

The placement of the chip 30 on the barrel 200 can be done at themanufacturer of the barrel 200 or the property where the aging of thealcoholic beverage takes place in the barrel 200.

In all of the proposed embodiments, the electronic chip 30 can assumeany desired colored appearance.

In particular, the alcoholic beverage container has a surface having afirst color visible to a user, and in which the decorative sublayer C6of the customization layer P of the label 30 also has a second visiblecolor identical to the first visible color.

According to another specific embodiment, the chip 30 has an additionaltransparent protective layer in contact with the uppermost layerdescribed in the previous embodiments.

Thus, for example, for the case of FIG. 2, the chip 30 has a ninthprotective layer in contact with the eighth layer.

The transparent protective layer is for example adhesive and is glued onthe uppermost layer.

The protective layer makes it possible to protect the screenprintingfrom damage and also makes it possible to have a brilliant or mattefinish of the label 30 based on the material chosen to produce theprotective layer.

In particular, a plastic is a plastic film having an overlay effect. Inparticular, the plastic is a plastic film used to produce plasticpouches able to contain documents.

According to one particular embodiment, the chip 30 affixed on a space220 of the hoop 212 of the barrel 200 is an RFID tag, the RFID tag beingable to be a label as previously described or a different label. TheRFID tag comprises a microprocessor associated with an antenna allowingthe exchange of signals. The microprocessor also includes a memory ableto store information.

Such a chip 30 has the advantage that when the barrel 200 is moved by anoperator rolling it on the ground, the chip 30 does not come intocontact with the ground and its operation is therefore not altered.

The invention corresponds to any technically possible combination of theembodiments previously described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A barrel containing liquid, said barrel havingapplied thereto a label comprising an electronic chip, the labelincluding: a first layer, called support layer comprising two faces, asecond layer, called electronic chip layer, comprising at least anelectronic chip and an antenna connected to the electronic chip, theelectronic chip layer including a first face in contact with the supportlayer and a second face opposite the first face, and a third layer,called customization layer, having a first face in contact with thesecond face of the electronic chip layer and a second face opposite thefirst face of the customization layer, wherein the three layers aresuperimposed in a stacking direction, and wherein the customizationlayer comprises at least one sublayer, called metal sublayer, made froma metal material, the metal sublayer having a thickness along thestacking direction being less than or equal to 35 micrometers.
 2. Thebarrel of claim 1, wherein the liquid is an alcoholic beverage.
 3. Thebarrel of claim 2, comprising a surface on which the label is glued. 4.The barrel of claim 1, wherein the label further comprises a protectionlayer in contact with the second face of the customization layer, theprotection layer comprising at least a covering sublayer allowing a userto see the customization layer through the covering sublayer.
 5. Thebarrel of claim 1, wherein the customization layer further comprises aninterfacing sublayer made from polyethylene terephthalate, theinterfacing sublayer being in contact on the one hand with theelectronic chip layer and on the other hand with the metal sublayer. 6.The barrel of claim 1, wherein the customization layer comprises adecorative sublayer intended to give the user the visual impression thatthe label is decorated.
 7. A method of labeling a barrel containingliquid, comprising applying to the barrel a label comprising anelectronic chip, the label including: a first layer, called supportlayer comprising two faces, a second layer, called electronic chiplayer, comprising at least an electronic chip and an antenna connectedto the electronic chip, the electronic chip layer including a first facein contact with the support layer and a second face opposite the firstface, and a third layer, called customization layer, having a first facein contact with the second face of the electronic chip layer and asecond face opposite the first face of the customization layer, whereinthe three layers are superimposed in a stacking direction, and whereinthe customization layer comprises at least one sublayer, called metalsublayer, made from a metal material, the metal sublayer having athickness along the stacking direction being less than or equal to 35micrometers.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the liquid is analcoholic beverage.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the label isapplied to the barrel by glue.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein thelabel further comprises a protection layer in contact with the secondface of the customization layer, the protection layer comprising atleast a covering sublayer allowing a user to see the customization layerthrough the covering sublayer.
 11. The method of claim 7, wherein thecustomization layer further comprises an interfacing sublayer made frompolyethylene terephthalate, the interfacing sublayer being in contact onthe one hand with the electronic chip layer and on the other hand withthe metal sublayer.
 12. The method of claim 7, wherein the customizationlayer comprises a decorative sublayer intended to give the user thevisual impression that the label is decorated.